Water-softener.



R. B. STEVENSON.

WATER SOPTBNER.

APPLIUATIO]! FILED 1111111. 31, 1910 1,01 1,656. Patented Dec. 12,1911.

3 BHIBETB8HEBT 1.

WITNESSES:

A I I INVENTOR A TTORNE I R. E. STEVENSON.

WATER SOFTENER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.31,1910.

1,01 1,656. Patented Dec.12,1911.

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A TTORNE V UNITED STATES PATEN T OFFICE.

ROBERT E. STEVENSON, OF MUNCIE, INDIANA. ASSIGNOB TO THE PEERLESg WATE SOFTENER COMPANY, OF INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, A CORPORATION OF INIQIANA.

WATER-SOF'TENER.

1,01 1 ,osc.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 12, 1911.

Application filed March 31, 1910. Serial No. 552,603.

To all whom if may concern:

Be it known that l. Romain E. STEVEN- son, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of Muncie, in the county of Delaware and the State of Indiana, have invented a new and Improved ater- Softener, of which invention the following is a slu-vifieation.

This invention relates to improvements in water softeners, with especial reference to apparatus for the softening of water in large quantities necessary for the supply of laundries, and for steam boiler plants and the like.

'A well known general method of and structure and arrangement of parts for the circulation and filtration of the water. after the introduction into same of the softening ingredients or reagents or compound, and

the initial agitation of the water, is illustratet in Flgure 9; the water being delivered downwardly through the central cylinder or tube A, thence rising in the outer cylinder B and through the filtering material C and being then taken ofi, in softened and cleansed condition, through the conduit B.

Objects of my invention are to provide a device or apparatus whereby the feeding of the softening compound into the water may be accomplished automatically and the strength of the softening compound, and the quantity thereof, may be easily and correctly regulated.

This invention, broadly stated, consists essentially of a receptacle for the reception of the raw water, arranged adjacent to a sluice into which it may empty its contents,

and containers for retaining the separate ingredients or reagents constituting the soften ing compound, so arranged adjacent to the receptac e and there being such connections between same and the receptacle, that one container will discharge into the water that is contained in the receptacle, and the other container will discharge into the water immediately upon its being discharged from the reoeptae-le; also in the providing of meagre to facilitate the flow and agitation oft Qwater.

The invention consists further in the improved construction, combination and an rqngement of parts and details of construction described in this specification, defined gered order as shown.

in ,the appended claims, and illustrated in the accompanyin drawings, in Which Fig. 1 1s a si e view of my invention, a portion of'the wall of the mixing box being broken away. Fig. 2. is a plan View taken on the line 2-2 in Fig. 1, the opera.- tive parts being not shown. Fig. 3 is a reverse side view of my invention portions of the disk plates carried by the ratchet wheels being broken away. Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 44 in Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is an enlarged central vertical transverse sectional'view of one of the ingredient. containers, the upper portion thereof being broken away. Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6-6 in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of a portion of Fig. 3. Fig. 8 is an enlarged horizontal transverse sectional view taken on the line 8*8 in Fig. 3. Fig. 9 is a view showing the arrangement of my invention in connection with the. filtration means hereinbefore referred to.

The mixing box 1 made preferably of sheet metal, has extended sides and the slop ing bottom which will form the upper portion 2 of a sluice. The walls of the upper portion 2 of this sluice, as shown in. Fig. 2. are convergent, and from the end 2 thereof the continued or lower portion 3 of the sluice extends a'proper distance. and is teri'ninated by an apron or battle plate 4 against which the water will strike, in its flow from the sluice. Onthe floor or bottom of the sluice are disposed the steps 5 and 5; and on the floor of the mixing box are the upright bafiie plates 6 arranged in the stag The structure just described is supported by the legs 7, 8, and 9, and the supports 10, and is so positioned that the end of the sluice will stand immediately above the tube or cylinder A. Mounted on the transverse shaft 11 which is journaled in boxings secured to the walls of the mixing box, is the receptacle 12. This receptacle, designated as a tiltable bucket, is so formed and so balanced by the weight 13 which is adjustably secured to the rod 14. that; it will tilt forwardly by the weight of the water accumulated therein and will dump its contents to the bottom of the 1111\- ing box. In water softening devices hereto fore devised this tiltable bucket feature is used and the softening compound, previously prepared, is fed in various ways, into such a bucket.

A highly satisfactory combination of ingredients or reagents for Water softening purposes includes soda ash and lime; however when these reagents are held together in solution for any length of time, deterioration ensues. Efficiency of the solution is de pleted and consequently the water that is ieing treated thereby is not softened uniformly and dependably. in this invention, the lime and the soda ash, as such ingredients, ar "etaincd separate and apart in contains provided therefor. The lime is introduced into the bucket, and with the dumping into the mixing box of the contents of the bucket, the soda ash is introduced; these operations being immediately -t'olltuved by such agitation of the water that the intermiugling of the ingredients is ct fective. superposed on the table and in the relative positions as shown, is the lime container 16 and the soda ash container 17. means being provided in the bottoms of these containers wlu-areby they maybe opened and closed. It is intended that the ilow of the raw water into the tiltable bucket shall he so controlled that. when the bucket tips forwardly the flow will be stopped, and when the bucket rightsitsell' the [low will be rc-opcned- To accomplish this result there is disposed on the table 15, the retaining tank 19 into \vhirh the raw water is introduced in a steady flow through suitable pipes 19. The outlet pipes 520 lead from the bottom of the tank so as to discharge into the bottom of the bucket. The preferable form of stopl'iers 21 for the said outlet pipes, is shown in the drawings. These stoppers are composed of spheres made of buoyant material and will be retained against. transver e disphua-nwnt by the uprights 21* and when dropped into the machined tops of the outlet pipes w ill effectively close same. The rods upon which the spheres are supported, are jointed intermediate their ends so as to slip upon each other, and at their upper ends they are loosely connected to the arms 23. 'Jhese arms are rarried by the shaft 2i which is journaled in the block 25), and the middle arm 23 has the crank-arm Q3. J urnaled urnlerneath the table is the transverse shaft 26. ()n the end of this shaft is secured a crank 27. and at the central portion thereof is seem-ml the crank 28. A rod 29 loosely connects the crank 2 and the crank-arm 2" 3t! de ignates a crank secured to the tran \'QI 3 shat't i]. To transmit the motion of the cranlt 30 to the crank 27 is the function of the rod 31.

designates a strong coil spring having [In-4 its one end to engage a stud on the block 25 and the other end to engage the middle arm 23.

l l l l l l l ment of the shaft.

The stoppers 21 will be held in the raised position by the rod 31 which engages the wrist pin 27 of the crank 27. The rear portion of the recess 31 of the connecting rod 31 is of such slanted or beveled form that as the bucket tips forvardly the connecting rod will be raised at the wrist pin 52? and the crank 27 will be released. By the quick action of the spring 32 the arms 23 are jerked downwardly and the spheres 21 will instantly drop into closed engagement at the outlet pipes 520. The distance through which the crank shall move by the pull of the spring is regulated by the collar 29 11th justably secured on the rod 29. When the bucket has tipped completely forward the crank 27 will be reengaged by the connecting rod 31 and as the bucket rights itself, the spheres will be raised, permitting the water again flow through the outlet pipes.

A feature of my invention is the means wherelrv the amount of contents to be fed from the containers 16 and 17 may be predetermined and gaged. The bottom of each of these containers is composed of a bowl 323 having a circular upper edge suitable to retain the cyliiulrieal metal hell which constitutes the body of the 'onlnlinl'. The interior surfaces of the bowl eonvergc so that the rarity 34 which l\ formed by the walls 33- and ill" and the sides Zlt)". terminates in the form of a mouth, the width oi which is the distance between the lip 353" of the sides 33'. lassed transversely through the said cavity is the shaft 35 which has a bearing in the wall 121. The inner are oi this wall 33" is recessed to provide the ledge 13. The member ll) which is designated as a. fluted sleeve is provided with the continuous parallel longitudinal flutings 36 and is of such length that with its one end hearing against the inner surface of the wall 33 end will register with the outer surface of the wall 33. This fluted sleeve is secured to the shaft 35 by suitable means such as the pin 36, and outside of the wall 33 is secured on the shaft, a collar 36 the function of which is to prevent longitudinal more Slidingly disposed on the shaft 35 is the cut-off sleeve 37. This eutaiflj' sleeve is of proper diameter to move slidingly within the bore 36 of the fluted sleeve. The stems 38 project from the flange 37* of the cut-off sleeve and are of proper diameter to fit slidingly in the'semicirrular seats of the tlulings 36". These stems are of such length that with that-utoft sleeve, moved up to position where the flange 37" will meet the wall 33*, the stems will oernpy the entire length of the llulings, The bore of the wall 233 will Form the bearing for the fluted sleeve.

From the description thus far, it will be seen that with the rotativ'e movement of lhe as shown in Fig. .3 its other tinted sleeve, one tinting after another will be moved to a point between the lips 33 so that such measure of contents may have been carried in the flitting will be free to drop therefrom. The ledge 33 will avoid the lodgment between the fluted sleeve and the wall 33, of the pulverized ingredient. By the placement of the cut-off sleeve at different locations the length of the area of the fiutings thus opened, may be varied. To render easy the adjustment of the cutotf sleeve, the means shown in Fig. have been devised. The hand-lever 39 which is pivotally supported on the lug 33 has its bifurcated lower end to engage loosely the studs of a rim collar 39 which is carried loosel in a suitable roove therefor in the ut-o sleeve. The and-lever will move adjacent to the sector 40 which may be secured to the wall of the container. On the threaded portion of a stud carried by the hand lever and which stud passes through a slot in the sector is the bur 39 for tightening the hand lever at ad'usted positions.

manipulating the ban lever the cutsleeve may be so controlled that the measure of contents to be fed from the container, may be precisely had. To avoid possible adhesion of the ingredients to the edges of the flutings, and also to overcome any tendency of the sleeve to reverse movement, there is provided a set of resilient prongs 41 the upturned ends of which will engage the edge of the flutings as they pass the lip 33. To avoid possible irregularity of movement, of the ingredient contents of the bowl. is the function of the stirrer which is capable of being operated in the bowl 33.

By this invention the operation of this stir rer is accomplished by the same plI'Wtl that Operates the feeding device. Journalcd in the walls of the bowl above the shaft 3:? is a similar s aftAQ upon which sei'rurcd the centrally disposed pronged member 431. the said shaft 42 being held against transversedisplacement by the collars 44. Se

cured to the outer ends of the said shafts 35 and 42, as shown in -detail in Figs. 3. T and 8, are ratchet wheels, similar to earth other, and designated as 46, in. 4H" and 46. Each of these ratchet wheels will be actuated by a bar having a tooth to engage the ratchet tooth of the wheel. A simple means for avoiding transverse displacement of the toothed bars, are the disk plates 47 which are secured to the sides of the ratchet wheels.

Secured to the shaft 1] is abell-crank 4S; in'a slot provided in each of the divided arms of thisbcll-crank. are retained the wrist pins 48 and 48*. The toothed bars 50 andfi] have their lower ends connected loosely to the said wrist pins respectively. By reference to l i 3 and to' l -igz. 7 it. will be observed that t e ratchet wheels rangeinent of pa rts, such actuation of the feeding devices will he had with each oper aticn of the tiltnble bucket, that the feed from the container 16 will occur when the bucket reaches the horizontal position, and the feed from the container 17 will occur when the bucket lips forwardly.

Results ofany invention are that the reagents used for softening of the water may be maintained separate and apart and the measurement. of the quantities of the same may be varied to suit every requirement. Moreoventhe feeding of some will be regu lar and i'le'pcndable; the softening; of the water will be accomplished rapidly. uniformly and reliably. and skilled help in operating the apparatus is unnecessary.

The containers to and 17 having been filled with an ample supply of lime and soda ash. the lion of the raw water into the tank 19 is opened. The water so introduced through the tank l8 will flow through the pipes :20 and will quickly till the liltable bucket. \Vitb the tilting of the bucket and the dumping of its contents to the lloor ol' the mixing box the forward movement of the toothed ar 51 operates the cut-olf dcvice. of the container 17 to discharge a. quota of soda ash into the discharged water; the movement forwardly of the bar ill disengagcs the wrist pin 27; the spring 33 be ing released causes a jerk of the arms 23 and the spheres ill will drop and close the pipes 20 thereby arresting the flow of water into the blit'litl; this arrest. of the flow through pipes :20 however, is only 1noiucntar The bucket having discharged its contents. it will automatically return to the nornnil position. In the movement of the burlzct to such position the downward moveiltQlll of the bars 5U operates the cut oil dc vice of the container 1(3 and with the completion of the buckets movement. a quota of lime will have been t'lepos-ilt'tl in the bnclret and the bar 31 liming: rri ngaged the wrist pin 21* the spheres will have been raised and the pipes ill thereby opened. The lime is taken into suspension b lllt water flowing into the bucket which as soon as filled tips forwardly and siinultaiu-ouslv with the dumping ol its contents to the floor f the mixing box. a quota of soda ash is ejected from the container IT. The water iii) now so supplied with the necessary softenlng ingredients proceeds on its flow to the filtration cylinder A. The agitation of the 7 water is continued by its striking the battle plates 6, and by its flowing over the steps 5 of the upper portion of the sluice with its convergent walls, and thence over the steps of the lower portion of the sluice and against the apron or battle piate 4.

The entire apparatus is comparatively simple in construction and it is economical of manufacture, installation and maintenance. Access to any and all of the parts is easy and the device is not liable to get out of order or repair. tion the invention is shown of the structure and arrangement where heavy duty is required and large capacity is bad. Where the raw water is to be directed in a continuously operated flow into the bucket the operation of the rod 31 is dispensed with, the arms 23 being held at raised position.

I am aware that modifications and minor changes may be made in the general structure and in many of the mechah .1 details of apparatus intended for carrying my invention into etlcct, such changes not atl'ccting tho nature of the invention nor sacrificing any of its :ulvantages.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

I. In a (ll-\ice oi the kind described, a inking box. a tiltablc rcce itaclo arranged to operate by weight of water therein to tilt forwardly and discharge into the said mixing box and then tilt rcarwardly to normal position. a container to rctam a watersot'tcnu| ingredient disposed above the tiltabhrw-cptarle, a second similar container 5 disposed above the mixing box but aside from the tiltable receptacle. a cutoff device for each container, means having connect ons be ween the tiltable receptacle and the cut oil devices whcrclrv the second container will be opened when the tiltablc. receptacle tips forwardly, and the first container will be opened when the tiltable receptacle is re turned to normal position.

2. In a device of the kind described, a mi\'in; box. a tiltable receptacle arranged to operate by weight of water therein to tilt torwa rdly and discharge into the said mixing box and then tilt rearwardly to normal position, a container to retain a. water-softening ingredient disposed above the tiltable re eptacle, a second similar container disposed above the mixing box, a cut-ofl' device for ach container. means operable by the tiltable receptacle whcrebvthe cubotl' devices will be operated to open the second container when the tiltable receptacle tips forwardly, and to open the first container when the tiltable receptacle is returned to normal position, a conduit to convey water into the tiltable receptacle.

in this specificar in a device of the kind described, a. mixing box, a tiltablc receptacle arranged to l operate by weight of Water therein to tilt l forwardl and discharge into the said mixing box and then tilt rcarwardly to normal I position, a container to retain a Watersoftening ingredient disposed so as to discharge into the tiltable receptacle, :1 second similar container disposed so as to discharge into the mixing box, a cut-off device for each container, means operable by the tiltl able receptacle whereby the cut-oil' devices will be operated to open the second container when the tiltable receptacle tips forwardly. and. to open the first container when the tiltable receptacle is returned to normal position, a conduit to discharge water into l the tiltable receptacle, hand-operated means I for each container to regulate the amount of ingredient discharged therefrom. l 4. In a device of the kind. described, a r mixing box, a tiltable receptacle arranged to' operate by weight of water therein to tilt; l l l l l l l'orwardly and discharge into the said mixinn box and then tilt rcaiwvardly to normal position, a. container to retain a watersottcning ingredient disposed so as to discharge into the tiltable receptacle, 2. second similar contaim-r disposed so as to discharge l into the mixing box, a cut-off device for l each container, means to open the second 1 container when the tiltable receptacle tilts l forwardly. and to open the first container i when the tiltable receptacle is returned to normal position. a conduit to discharge l water into the tiltable receptacle, a cutoff in l said conduit, means to operate the cut-otf l to close the conduit when the tiltable receptacle tips forwardly and to open it wheathe l tiltable r ceptacle rcturnstonormalposition. l 5. in a device of the kind described, the l combination of a mixing box, a tiltable naceptaclc arranged to operate by weight of water therein to tilt forwardly and d15- l charge into the mixing box and then return to normal position, a containe arranged so l as to discharge its contents into the tlltable receptacle, a second similar container disposed so as to discharge lnto theanixlng box, a stirrer for each container, a cut-o device for each container, means operable bv the tiltable receptacle whereby the cut-off devices and the. stirrers will be 0 erated substantially as described, a con nit to discharge water into the tiltable receptacle,

means to regulate the cut-off devices of each of the containers.

(1. In a device of the kind described, 11,,

a l l mixing box, a cut-off device for each coni tainer, means to open the second container when the tiltable receptacle tilts forwardly,

and to open the first container when the tiltable receptacle is returned to normal position, a water retaining tank, a conduit to discharge into the said tank, an outlet from the tank leading into the tiltable receptacle, a valve for said outlet, means to close the valve when the tiltahle receptacle tilts forwardly and to open the said valve when the tiltable receptacle returns to normal posi- 'tion.

8. The combination of a mixing box having a sloping bottom provided with upwardly dis osed baffle lates, and having an extended s uice provided with a series 0 steps on its bottom, a transverse shaft mounted between the walls of the said mixa tiltable receptacle balanced on said transverse shaft to operate by Wei ht of water therein to tilt forwardly an discharge into the mixing box and then to return to normal osition, a container disposed above the tiltable receptacle, a second similar container dis osed above the mixing boxbut aside from tlie tiltable receptacle, a cut-off device for each container, shafts upon which said cut-off devices are supported, a ratchet wheel carried byeach of said shafts, a bell crank secured to the aforesaid transing box,

the cut-off similar coni verse shaft, connections between the said bell crank and the ratchet wheels whereby the second container will be opened when the container tips forwardly, and the first named container will be opened when the tiltable receptacle is returned to normal position.

9. The combination of a mixing box having its bottom extended in the form of a sluice to discharge into filtration means. a transversesiiaft mounted between the walls of the mixing box, a tiltable receptacle bat anced upon said transverseshafl to operate by Weight of water therein to tilt foiwvurdly and discharge into the mixing box and then to return to normal position, a container disposed above the tiltable receptacle, a second container disposed above the mixing box but aside from the tiltable receptacle, a cutoff device for each container, a rawwater conduit to discharge into the tillable receptacle, a valve in said raw water conduit, stirrers for each container, shafts upon which said cut-off devices and upon which said stirrcrs are suported, a ratchet wheel carried by each of the said shafts, a bell crank secured to the aforesaid transverse shaft, toothed bars connected to said bell crank and having engagement with the teeth of said ratchet wheels, connections between the said transverse shaft and the valve in said raw-water conduit whereby the flow of water will be stopped when the tiltable receptacle tilts forwardly, and will be released when the same is returned to normal position.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ROBERT E. STEVENSON.

\Vitnesses:

IIARoLn P. Haynes, THOMAS L. Run. 

